Queensland warns US about 'Dr Death'

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Peter Beattie is running a high-profile campaign in the
US to force Jayant Patel to return to Australia.

Shame is the Queensland Government's new weapon to encourage the
doctor linked to the deaths of almost 90 patients to return to
Australia and give his account of the scandal.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie arrived in Los Angeles
yesterday, where he told US media that Jayant Patel should not be
allowed to ply his trade in the US or anywhere else.

"We would urge authorities in the US not to allow him to
practise medicine," Mr Beattie said. "If we send a clear message
then we believe we'll put appropriate pressure on him to return to
Queensland."

The Government also intends to target media in Portland, Oregon,
Dr Patel's home town in the US.

Mr Beattie, in the US on a trade mission, hopes to hold further
meetings aimed at highlighting Dr Patel's behaviour in Queensland.
Dr Patel, allegedly associated with the deaths of at least 87
patients and many more botched surgical procedures at the Bundaberg
Base Hospital, faces potential charges for murder, negligence and
fraud.

Mr Beattie has warned that extraditing Dr Patel may prove more
difficult than first thought. The Government would still attempt to
do so, but Queensland police would have to prepare a brief of
evidence to support the criminal charges, a process that could take
several weeks.

State Development Minister Tony McGrady and a senior Queensland
bureaucrat will travel to Portland today to present a letter
setting out the Government's position to Dr Patel's US lawyer.
"We're leaving no stone unturned in our attempts to get him to
return," Mr McGrady said.

The Queensland Liberals' deputy leader Bruce Flegg labelled the
trips a bizarre publicity stunt that could jeopardise any
extradition attempt.

The Government is willing to meet the cost of a one-way air fare
and accommodation for Dr Patel if he returns to Australia, but has
ruled out immunity.

Earlier this week, the Government said Dr Patel had indicated he
was "interested" in putting his version of events to an
inquiry.

Dr Patel is conducting negotiations through Brisbane law firm
Quinn and Scattini and Perth barrister Tom Percy. A spokesman for
state Attorney-General Rod Welford denied reports of any meeting
involving the Director of Public Prosecutions and the state's
Solicitor-General.